I was having trouble coming up with a headline for today's column, so I thought I would steal a headline.
First, I was able to check on the Code Enforcement issue, which was discussed on Monday night. Code people were just doing what they were told and the situation has been corrected.
****
Got an email from a police officer today, who said he wrote a ticket in the alley near the market because the owner of the vehicle was unable to be found. The ticket was excused by the borough's finance manager!
*****
There were a lot of comments about the proposed sale of the cabins on Monday night at the council meeting and possibly putting the issue on the ballot for the voters to decide. Just something to consider. It may take a few years to complete Mayor Lutz' proposed action and putting the issue on the ballot will cost the borough money to do, which apparently Columbia does not have.
******
Now for the increase/decrease in prices with the downtown parking meters. I am a proponent of not having parking meters downtown only because we want people to come downtown. What I do not like is without meters those who rent apartments downtown will fill the spaces and get a free ride. Perhaps those people, if we know who the renters are, should be forced to pay a parking fee. But since in listening to some of the comments on Monday night, I'm not sure if Columbia has a handle on the rental issue.
But in my mind, this comes down to nickel and diming people. If we were getting $100,000 off parking meter revenue, then go for it. We are not. The same goes with Code Enforcement. Its not consistent. We are picking on the small stuff and letting the bigger issues go.
So here is a thought tied into what Mayor Lutz said Monday night, about using the money gained from the sale of the cabin area, perhaps somewhere in the neighborhood of $630,000, and using it to jump start projects.
Here's food for thought -- consistent code enforcement, in terms of fines, etc. and using the truck weighing scales, which most of the time are sitting idol to its fullest use. Those two issues alone, if properly utilized, could bring Columbia that $630,000 in a hurry. Truck fines are expensive and could be an extremely profitable venture!
*****
One other food for thought item from the mayor's letter dealt with the street scape of Locust Street -- replacing the street lights, trees, etc. The mayor said it would cost $150,000 to complete. Perhaps some of the businesses downtown might be willing to contribute and has anyone approached PPL about doing it as a community project? They've done it before in town.
20 comments:
was the ticket given to mark he always parks in the alley when he goes in to do work. did the car have its parking permit in the window.
I would like to know the boro is going to start the Locust St project??? fix the sidewalks, plant new trees and put in the new lights. it keeps getting pushed back from spring of 09 to fall of 09 then to spring of 10 and now, who knows? i haven't heard anyone say a date, does anyone know the answer? I'd appreciate it.
you know, i do think the businesses downtown already give an awful lot to a lot of different fundraisers, etc. thank you to all of them
that's a good question-has anyone contacted PPL to see if they would do something as a community project-the good Lord knows that would be worth a MILLION DOLLARS OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR THEM! it's a win win.i hope soneone from ppl is reading this.
Do you think the code enforcement fines are being paid? Just like parking tickets, most go unpaid. Here is thought, go after the one motorcycle dealership that still owes the town over $17,000 bucks for curbs and sidewalks.
Why is the finance director dismissing parking tickets? Isn't that the job of the Chief. If that is the way it is, I got a street sweeping ticket on Monday. Wonder if I can get that dismissed by the finance director. Guess it is worth a shot. On a more serious note, I just wonder if this officer will want to issue another parking ticket again. Seems his judgement and authority were undermined by someone who is not even in the police department.
Enforcement for the sake of generating revenue is wrong and should never be done. It undermines the entire reason for enforcement, which is to bring compliance to the laws. It can also bring about unjust enforcement. Remember, discretion is a very important part of the enforcement of any law and placing the burden of revenue generation on those who are responsible for the enforcement would only lead to tainted prosecutions.
does anyone know when the boro is going to start the locust st project? to fix uplifted sidewalks, plant the new trees and install all new street lights. it's benn pushed from spring and fall the past year or more already.
morning barry, are you there? you ok?
$630,000. from the cottage land ? - it's priceless and worth millions - it's a crime to take this gift to "Columbia Borough" and sell away our future ability to use it for a public use. Out of respect to the Cottage Owners, maybe a ten year deal, maybe even a 20 year deal with them - but not forever!! - it would be a very very dumb decision to accept a gift to the Borough and give it to a few.
The Mayor "LUTZ" should do alittle more home work on the cabins. Like tell us what and how much property taxes is the Borough going to recieve.Do they all have water and sewer hook-up? See if any of these cottages are rental properties! Also, i think they would need FLOOD INSURANCE!! The towns people should vote on this issue. By that is to put it on a ballot!! It only takes one line up on the BALLOT!! Its not going to cost the Borough that much money!! Robert :O)
if you have a question regarding are people paying code enforcement tickets/fines -you'll have to ask that question to the powers that be-you'll love the answer
I THINK THE FINANCE DIRECTOR HAS NO AUTHORITY TO EXCUSE A PARKING TICKET. THIS PERSON HAS NO POLICE POWERS AND NEEDS TO BE FIRED IMMEDIATELY. CHIEF JOE GREENYA IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN EXCUSE A PARKING TICKET. AS FOR THE OFFICER THAT ISSUED THE TICKET, THE CHIEF AND HIM SHOULD GO TO NEXT COUNCIL MEETING AND REQUEST THAT THIS PERSON BE FIRED.
I am sure they watch this site everyday and have plenty of time to come up with a story. You won't get the truth.
B
seems to me that this finance director, thinks SHE runs the show too. another York countian (from Hellam with NOrm) unbelieveable ! these people have their nose where it doesn't
belong-that (parking tickets-this one issued by a police officer) is and always will be a POLICE MATTER. council, put a stop to this
just wake up and hit them on the long level resort project.
most of the people here think im just some dumb hick.
dumb people could not know about this project.
i hope you can find out more then me. but i think you will get the same answer i did.
they will have to tell you their is a plan but will not tell you any more. they would not have said that but when you know where the plan has the resort sitting they know you know something.
And while you're at it ask Harrisburg about any resport plans they have..or ...oh wait... I know...let's see if Bainbridge has any plans in the works.
I don't know about everyone else but I'd LOVE to learn about a "resort" that means jack shit to Columbia. Still not sure why the hell you even keep bringing it up. As far as a dumb person couldn't know????? Huh????? Anyone who was told about it would know...dumb or not.
The bottom line is this. From what we've been told we have two pieces of property on the table. 14 acres between the bridges and the 9 or 10 acres the cabins sit on. The borough can have one or the other but not both. The funding isn't there to get the grant matching contribution for the 14 acres. The sale of the property would generate the needed revenue. Most of the posts on here see the cabin land and say gimmie gimmie gimmie...lets take take take but they're missing the forrest for the trees. If the money from the sale of the cabin land would purchase the 14 acres of NS land then WHY on God's green earth would you rather have the cabin land? Talk about biting off your nose to spite your face.
I am firmly convinced that some people in this town are simply jealous of what others have and feel that like everything else in their lives it should be handed to them.
i agree that the boro should finalize purchasing the 14 acres between the 2 bridges from norfolk southern. the boro has spent thousands of dollars to draw up plans for the 14 acres (like 5 years or more ago) and they already have a grant toward the purchase price. a no brainer
Put a trailer park where the cabins are.....
it's the beginning of the end for the cabins baby!
Post a Comment